What to pack for your Holiday
Leave snorkeling kit or dive gear at home, as you’ll be able to borrow or hire some wherever you are; If you are a diver, then bring your log book etc. If you are not a scuba diver, the Maldives are the perfect place to learn. An Underwater camera if you happen to posses one – although they will be readily available for hire from the Diving school for an extra charge. A normal camera to capture the amazing experiences is something that should not be missed. Do not bother packing shoes. Wear sandals for the flights and a pair of neoprene booties for walking in the water (the occasional bit of loose coral can cut you quite badly) but other than that you should leave the footwear at home. You really don’t need shoes/high heels – just flip flops and flatties! even though some Robinson Crusoe style Luxury Hotels require you to be bare foot throughout your stay.
If you plan to travel to Maldives just to relax on the beaches without participating in much activities make sure you bring enough books and if you are an avid book reader, make sure you pack plenty of them.
Bring sun block. Bring lots and lots of sun block. You can never have enough sunscreen in Maldives. Buying it on the island is possible but can be expensive, so bring enough for your entire holiday. Make sure you go for high factor or you will look like a lobster on the beach.
And finally bring a sense of fun and adventure. Try new activities, talk to the locals, enjoy the wildlife and experience a great maldive Adventure.
What to wear
During the day you when you are spending time outside you’ll need to pack several sets of swimwear. You can rinse them in the evening and they’ll dry by the morning or simply use the laundry service offered by the resort, but basically you may want to take at least three different sets of sun tan wear!
If you go decide to breakfast/lunch/dinner straight from the beach/sea/sunbathing make sure you take something to cover up your top half, such as a kaftan or a sundress.
For the evenings you can dress up in smart shorts and cropped trousers and some nice “going out” tops, but some ladies prefer to wear long dresses. It will be quite casual though, so anything goes really.
On the plane or boat wear something summery on the way, as you’ll feel the tropical heat when you get off.
The climate in Maldives
The summer never ends in the Maldives. Although it is warm throughout the year there are slight variations in the temperature during certain periods determined by the monsoons. The Northwest monsoons, from November to April is mostly dry with very little wind, while the Southwest monsoon from May to October brings some rain and wind. Being on the equator, the monsoons are mild and the temperature varies very little. The average temperature hovers around the range of between 29 and 32 degrees Celsius.
Tipping culture
Most resorts will include a service charge on your bills for everything from transfers and room service to spa treatments, so you shouldn’t worry too much; however, small extra tips for a great massage or for outstanding butler service are at your discretion.
Environment
Respect the highly fragile and delicate natural environment. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Even though you are just visiting and not paying the utility bill, disposing of your garbage properly and minimizing your consumption of water and energy will benefit the overall destination.
Don’t go home without taking plenty of photos – underwater and overwater. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, in the Maldives you’re invariably the centre of a perfect picture opportunity. All your snaps will look travel-brochure dreamy, and your friends will be aqua with env
Traveling with Disabilities
At Male International Airport, passengers must use steps to get on and off planes, but it should be no problem to get assistance for mobility-challenged passengers.
Transfers to nearby resorts are by dhoni or speedboat and a person in a wheelchair or with limited mobility will need assistance, which the crews will always be happy to provide. Transfer to more distant resorts is often by seaplanes, which can be more difficult to access, but again staffs are quite experienced in assisting passengers in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.
All resorts have ground-level rooms, few steps, and reasonably smooth paths to beaches, boat jetties and all public areas, but some of the more rustic and ‘eco-friendly’ resorts have a lot of sand floors. Staff – something there’s never a shortage of in the Maldives – will be on hand to assist disabled guests. When you decide on a resort, call them directly and ask about the layout. It’s usually a good idea for guests to advise their tour agency of any special needs, but if you want to find out about specific facilities, it’s best to contact the resort itself.
Many resort activities are potentially suitable for disabled guests. Fishing trips and excursions to inhabited islands should be easy, but uninhabited islands may be more difficult to disembark on. Catamaran sailing and canoeing are possibilities, especially if you’ve had experience in these activities. Anyone who can swim will be able to enjoy snorkelling.
As no dogs are allowed in the Maldives, for people depending on guide dog, this might not be the best destination.
Travelling Women
Culturally, resorts are modernised and open to modernised culture therefore visiting women will not have to make too many adjustments. Topless bathing and nudity are strictly forbidden, but bikinis are perfectly acceptable on resort beaches.
In Male reasonably modest dress is appropriate – shorts should cover the thighs and shirts should cover the shoulders and not be very low cut. Local women don’t go into teashops in Male, but a foreign woman with a male companion will not cause any excitement.
In more out-of-the-way parts of the country, quite conservative dress is in order. It is very unlikely that a foreign woman would be harassed or feel threatened on a local island, as Maldivian men are conservative and extremely respectful. They are very closed, small communities, and the fact that a foreign woman would be associated with a local sponsor should give a high level of security.
